Let's leave aside the OP's hyperbole in his made-up conversation. The thing of it is, the Republicans were completely locked out of any opportunity for any debate. So, we ended up with a lot of bullshit in the stimulus, silly programs, bloated bureaucrats, gargantuan healthcare. Without question or examination. That, to me, is what I mean by smaller government. Let's have a rational discussion about all this stuff.
Why so many czars and their staffs? Why all the mind-numbing silly studies and programs in the stimulus? Why the insidious stuff in the Hellcare bill? What exactly has the Dept of Education done? Does it pay back? Really? I could go on and on, but just reading Citizens against Govt Waste can turn your hair white. All this shit needs to be questioned and pushed back on, and just said no to.